After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage By Cassila K

Chapter 36

Joseph and I started dating, but our demanding jobs meant we rarely had time to see each other.

Most of our encounters took place in war-torn regions-he'd be rushing to treat the wounded, while I'd be in the operating room, fighting to save lives.

A fleeting touch as we brushed past each other was often the only connection we shared.

The patchy network signal didn't help either. Days would pass without hearing from each other, but then, out of nowhere, my phone would buzz nonstop as messages flooded in. They were disorganized, chaotic, as if they too had braved gunfire and destruction, but they carried the weight of longing and steadfast affection.

The situation in North Kivu grew increasingly dire.

Our first argument happened on the day a village near Goma was attacked.

When we arrived, the armed militants hadn't fully retreated, and the security forces were still exchanging fire with them.

We rushed back to the vehicle, preparing to evacuate, but Joseph suddenly jumped out of the ambulance.

There, at the edge of the battlefield, lay a collapsed villager.

Joseph hoisted the man onto his back and carried him to safety, his own body cut and bleeding from shrapnel.

I was furious and terrified, yelling at him, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

But he stood his ground. "I'm a doctor! I couldn't just leave him there! His leg was injured, but he could've survived. If I didn't save him, he would've died for sure!"

I knew he was right, and I knew it was his duty to save lives.

in blood-so much blood I

frantic examination and realizing his injuries were only superficial, I broke down, clutching

I can't lose anyone else! If something happened

for a moment before wrapping his arms

careful. I won't put myself in danger, and

buried my face in his chest. "You

let's make a pinky swear," he

whoever breaks it will turn into

through my tears. "If you really

I introduce you

puppy boyfriend?"

at him in frustration. He lay still, pretending to be dead. Panicked, I quickly pulled the pillow away, only to see his sly smile

seemed to say: See? I'm not

until my eyes stung and blurred with

moment, I realized how precious every single day

Ebola virus began its relentless assault

even busier. With a severe shortage of medical staff, he

sudden attacks on treatment centers in several cities. Many doctors were forced to abandon their posts and evacuate immediately. But

the situation in Goma was still relatively stable. On the other hand, nearly a hundred patients remained in the

four other doctors decided to stay and adapt to the situation as it

Goma, cutting

me a message, asking me to come to the treatment

been temporarily cleared out, I saw